Sustainability

At Metrolink, we value our role in creating a more sustainable future for our riders and the communities we serve.

Metrolink is committed to the goal of cleaner air in Southern California. We work with various transportation agencies throughout the region to offer our riders more sustainable and efficient ways to reach their Southern California destinations.

Taking the train is the smartest, cleanest and greenest way to travel.

Go Green - Take the Train

Taking Metrolink is a great way to minimize your environmental impact while also traveling efficiently and stress-free. By choosing to take the train, Metrolink riders remove approximately 8.5 million weekday automobile trips per year. Helping the planet has never been an easier choice.

Stats and Facts

Metrolink trains provide the same capacity as adding up to two new freeway lanes on adjacent freeways during peak commute times.

Tier 4 locomotives use up to 8 percent less fuel.

Metrolink’s Fuel Conservation Program has reduced fuel consumption by thirteen percent, or 853,000 gallons, per year.

Investing in a Cleaner Commute

Our commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in the investments we make. Here are some of the many ways Metrolink has invested in a cleaner future for Southern California:

The New Tier 4. Metrolink is proud to become the first commuter rail system in the nation to operate new locomotives powered by Tier 4 clean technology. Tier 4 locomotives are the cleanest diesel locomotives in the nation, and are up to 85% cleaner than our old locomotives. They have two-thirds more horsepower and are equipped with the latest safety upgrades. To learn more about Tier 4, click here.

Greater connectivity. Metrolink is the only transportation provider that serves the entire six-county area of Southern California. We also connect you to more free transfers and travel options, so you can leave your car at home or at the station. Your valid Metrolink fare connects you to city bus, shuttle bus, light rail, and subway lines, taking you farther than ever before. For a complete list of our free connection participants, see our Transit Connections page.

Bike trains and facilities. Metrolink promotes the use of bikes on our trains. Our fleet includes specialty Bike Cars that can hold up to 18 bikes, and most Metrolink stations offer bike racks or lockers for passengers. To learn how to bring your bike and ride with Metrolink, click here.

Solar-paneled parking structures. In 2012, Metrolink’s Industry Station added 8,300 solar panels, creating a solar carport that generates up to 2.2 megawatts per hour while shading 940 parking spaces, the largest renewable energy project of its kind in Southern California. The station generates revenue for the city, and also provides 64 charging stalls for Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs).

Greener buildings. Our Dispatch and Operations Center (DOC) in Pomona has LEED Silver certification, conserving resources and promoting clean, renewable energy. 75% of its construction waste was recycled. It was built with 20% recycled material, and uses 16% less energy with features like LED lighting. Building water use was reduced by 40%, and site water use by 50%, by using low flow devices and landscape treatments which allow for natural filtration. You may find our score card for this project here.

Sustainable Vehicles. Metrolink’s 182 support vehicles include electric, hybrid, low-emissions and flex-fuel varieties. As part of our replacement program, we are committed to procuring fuel-efficient vehicles that meet our needs without imposing an excessive environmental burden.

Corporate Partner Program. Employers and employees across Southern California receive tax incentives toward environmentally-friendly commutes in our Corporate Partner Program (CPP). For more information on how this program can benefit your business, contact Katherine Santanello at [email protected]

Smarter, Safer Train Operations

Programs and Technologies Reduce Emissions and Noise

Metrolink’s Fuel Conservation Program took effect in 2012 to reduce environmental impacts. By 2014, train idling was cut by 35% system-wide, and by 50% at the Central Maintenance Facility (CMF), where yard operations were modified to reduce service time and noise.

Metrolink boosted its Plug-In Program by 55%, adding more plug-in stations that supply electric ground power to rail cars during testing and inspection at CMF. This technology enables trains to run on electricity for a portion of their daily servicing and maintenance routine, rather than relying on locomotive power, and so reduces locomotive engine emissions.

Once a train has been serviced, tested and inspected, it is staged for departure. In 2014, Metrolink purchased an electric rail car mover to perform these operations, further reducing locomotive emissions and noise.

In 2015, electric forklifts replaced diesel forklifts, and Metrolink amended its policy on the activation of bells, reducing noise by 85%.

Less time idling means cleaner air.Auto-Engine Start/Stop (AESS) technology prevents excessive idling while reducing fuel use and emissions. Installation of AESS on Metrolink’s locomotives was funded in part by South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (AQMD) Carl Moyer Program, which focuses on cleaning the air by replacing older heavy-duty diesels with electric, alternative-fuel or cleaner diesel technologies.

Positive Train Control (PTC) is a life-saving technology which also conserves fuel by more gradual and controlled acceleration and deceleration, thereby conserving fuel. Learn more about PTC here.

Contact Us

Metrolink is dedicated to being a good neighbor to its surrounding communities.

For more information about Sustainability at Metrolink, and to make a suggestion, please contact us at: